I think as time goes by a tradition that I inherited from my father is gradually shrinking, like the size of the bergs passing Corner Brook, NFLD on a daily basis. Each day you don't notice a difference but over months you do. When I was a kid I loved watching television, what kid doesn't eh? (I like throwing in that Canadian "eh" for the American readers of this Blog). As I grew older I began joining my father as he watched (incredibly) first the CBC News and then The CTV National News. Barbara Frum, Then Harvey Kirk and Loyd Robertson. Even in my teens I enjoyed watching those news casts because they seemed believable, honest and unbiased. One night Barbara would grill someone from one political party then the next night she'd be having another party roasting on the BBQ of expert journalism. You never once wondered which side she was on, you knew she was relaying the story to you in a fair and unbiased manner. Harvey Kirk never resisted a good on air laugh but even in his humour he was intense and a rock to be trusted. Lloyd Robertson always took that precious national News second of time to show his compassionate eye after a tragic story. These Anchors deserved our attention. I'm not going to point fingers and praise one to tear down another but today we see our news anchors playing more to the fashion designers choices: "Hair by..." and "So and So's clothes provided by..." all in a more and more obvious effort to look "cool" rather than tell the stories of the day. One of my fav news casts to watch today is a Toronto based late night national news show, but even it, while seeming to be sincere has a anchors that look like Barbie and Ken on their alternating nights. The words that come to mind are Stiff, Perfectly sculpted hair, over starched suits, etc. I think one of the most difficult things for me to get past is the transition from a horrific story of unthinkable misery straight into a humour story. It just isn't holding water folks. So now in my 50's I find myself becoming less and less interested in what they have to say. Less and less interested in trying to cut through the glitz and getting to the story.Seems to me the current trend is catering more to the sponsors rather than to you and I the viewers. Wow, Isn't it ironic?Am I alone on this one? RM

This is me at Holly and Roy's cottage painting sketch canvases of Canoe Lake in the summer of 2011.

This sketch above became this finished painting below

The Pine Tree Painter.

How did I become known as the Pine Tree Painter? You could say I paint a lot of Pine Trees, that would be true. I paint a lot of other things too, but Pine Trees, Spruce Trees, Birch and others seem to be a continuous string in what i do. I just like the way they stand there like a custodian of the land. or a greeter to nature. So, I continue down the path with the Pine Tree Painter name on my head, It's ok. Robert McAffee